Walter Model was a German field marshal during World War II. Although he was a hard-driving, aggressive panzer commander early in the war, Model became best known as a practitioner of defensive warfare. His relative success as commander of the Ninth Army in the retreats of 1941–42 determined his future career path. He has been called the Third Reich's best defensive tactical commander.Model first came to Hitler's attention before World War II, but their relationship did not become especially close until 1942. His tenacious style of fighting and dedication to the Nazi cause won him plaudits from Hitler, who considered him one of his best field commanders and repeatedly tasked him with retrieving desperate situations. However, their relationship had broken down by the end of the war after Model was defeated at the Battle of the Bulge.
Units under Model's command killed large numbers of Soviet civilians, and the Soviet Government indicted him for war crimes. In April 1945, with the Third Reich's defeat imminent, Model committed suicide rather than be captured and stand trial for war crimes.
“The best Kamerad inside the pocket will be the Kamerad outside the pocket.”
Der beste K.I.K wird K.A.K
To Colonel Günther Reichhelm on 11 April 1945. Model requested that Reichhelm join him for dinner before his departure. In the staff guest book at the officers' mess, the field marshal carefully wrote. Quoted in "Battle for the Ruhr" - Page 345 - by Derek S. Zumbro - 2006
“Mein Führer, who commands The Ninth Army, you or I?”
To Adolf Hitler on 20 January 1942, Wolfsschanze. Quoted in "Generalfeldmarschall Model Biographie" - Page 115 - by Walter Göriltz - 2012
To Major Winrich Behr in the early morning hours of April 21, 1945. Quoted in "Battle for the Ruhr" - Page 378 - by Derek S. Zumbro - 2006
September 3 1944, <Appeal to the Soldiers of the Army of the West>. Quoted in "Rückzug: The German Retreat from France, 1944" - Page 191 - by Joachim Ludewig - 2012
To his chief of staff General Carl Wagener on 17 April 145, before dissolving Army Group B. Quoted in "Battle for the Ruhr" - Page 373 - by Derek S. Zumbro - 2006
To Colonel Theodor Pilling, Lieutenant Colonel Roger Michael, Major Winrich Behr in the evening of April 20, 1945. They tuned in the Wehrmacht receiver, and listened Joseph Goebbels's speech marking the Hitler's Birthday. Quoted in "Battle for the Ruhr" - Page 378 - by Derek S. Zumbro - 2006
“My Soldiers are My Children.”
Meine Soldaten sind Meine Kinder
To SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich Springer, his aide. In the early morning hours of December 23, 1944. Quoted in "Stationen eines Lebens in Krieg und Frieden" - Page 127 - by Heinrich Springer - 1996
To Major Kratzenberg on 3 July 1942, The Battle of Smolensk. Quoted in "Generalfeldmarschall Model Biographie" - Page 93 - by Walter Göriltz - 2012
“He who leads troops has no right to think about himself.”
Quoted in "Hitler's Generals" - Page 323 - by Correlli Barnett - History - 2003
After the Operation Market Garden, Field Marshal Model passed the appreciation from OB West on to his soldier, September 27, 1944. Quoted in "Rückzug: The German Retreat from France, 1944" - Page 278 - by Joachim Ludewig - 2012
"Panzer Leader" - by Heinz Guderian - 1952
"Battle for White Russia: the destruction of Army Group Centre, June 1944" - Page 257 - by Gerd Niepold - 1987
